Frequently Asked Questions
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Have questions about joining Sudershanchakra Coaching? We’ve got you covered! Here are some common queries from our students, along with the answers you need to make your learning experience smooth and successful.
NDA stands for National Defence Academy which is a graduation cum military training college situated in Khadakwasla, Pune. It is one of a kind tri-service academy where cadets of all the three armed forces train together for three years. The intake is twice a year.
NA stands for Naval Academy that is situated in Ezhimala, Kerala. It is also a graduation cum military college exclusively for naval cadets. All the naval cadets in NDA also go to NA after completing their college in NDA.
NDA recruitment process involves following stages: First is the written examination, those who qualify the written exam have to appear for the SSB interview followed by medical test and finally a merit list is prepared with 50-50% weightage of NDA written exam and SSB marks.
| SUBJECT | No. of Questions | Marks | Time Allotted |
| MATHEMATICS | 120 | 300 | 2 hrs 30 min |
| GENERAL ABILITY TEST | 150 | 600 | 2 hrs 30 min |
UPSC releases the date sheet of all the exams on their website
https://upsconline.nic.in/ but generally the exam is conducted in the months of April and October.
UPSC conducts NDA & NA exam in offline mode only.
Check the notification released on https://upsconline.nic.in/
Candidates are required to pay Rs.100 through online mode or challan. There is fees exemption for wards of JCO/NCO/OR and SC/ST and Female applicants.
You can apply for NDA exam on the official website of Union Public Service
Commission (UPSC).
Usually it starts 4 months prior to the exam date. But for exact date check the notification on the official website of https://upsconline.nic.in/
UPSC conducts NDA entrance exam twice in a year. You can apply for NDA exam as many times as you wish provided you meet the age eligibility criteria.
The selection process includes Written Test, SSB Interview, Medical Examination, and Merit List similar to NDA & NA examination.
There is no fixed number of attempts; you can give exam as long as you are eligible.
The mode of registration for CDS exam is online.
The age of the aspirant must be between 19-24 years at the commencement of course, which means to apply for the CDS exam one must be of around 18 years 9 months to 23 years 9 months. For example the candidate must have not been born earlier than 02
January 1999 and not later 01 January 2004 for CDS I 2022 exam, IMA course.
CDS written exam is conducted in Offline Mode.
UPSC releases the date sheet of all the exams on their website
https://upsconline.nic.in/ but generally the exam is conducted in the months of April
and October.
The full form of CDS is Combined Defence Services.
There is no minimum percentage. Minimum requirement for CDS is graduation degree from a recognized University.
The motto of National Defence Academy is Seva Parmo Dharma; in English it means Service Before Self.
The age of the aspirant must be between 16.5-19.5 years at the commencement of course, which means to apply for the NDA exam one must be of around 15 years 9 months to 18years 9 months. For example the candidate must have not been born earlier than 02nd January 2003 and not later than 01 January 2006 for NDA I 2022 exam.
National Defence Academy was established in the year 7th December 1954.
Candidate should have completed 12th in any stream for Army but for Air Force and Navy 12th class with Physics and Mathematics are compulsory.
NDA is affiliated to Jawahar Lal Nehru University (JNU) New Delhi.
Yes, unmarried female candidates can apply for the NDA exam.
CDS exam is conducted by UPSC to recruit candidates in Indian Air Force Academy, Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Officer’s Training Academy.
Yes, final year candidates can apply for CDS, but you should complete your degree before the date of joining.
Fee for CDS exam is 200/- , SC/ST/ females are exempted from fee.
| Academy | Educational Qualification (Final year students can apply) |
| Indian Military Academy(IMA) | Graduation |
| Indian Naval Academy(INA) | B.E/B.Tech (10+2 with Physics & Maths) |
| Air Force Academy(AFA) | For ground duty: Graduation For flying: B.E/B.Tech (10+2 with Physics & Maths) |
| Officers Training Academy(AFA) | Graduation |
For those applying for IMA, INA, and AFA Mathematics is compulsory and those applying for OTA needed not to give Mathematics Exam.
| ACADEMY | AGE LIMIT |
| INDIAN MILITARY ACADEMY | 19-24 |
| INDIAN NAVAL ACADEMY | 19-24 |
| AIR FORCE ACADEMY(AFA) | 20-24 |
| OFFICERS’ TRAINING ACADEMY | 19-25 |
AFCAT stands for Air Force Common Admission Test conducted at National level by the Indian Air Force itself.
All the aspiring candidates can apply at https://afcat.cdac.in
Yes, Women candidates are eligible to apply for AFCAT
(i) Flying Branch through AFCAT and NCC Special Entry: 20 to 24 years on commencement of course, which means to apply this one must be of around 19 years 9 months to 23years 9 months. For example the candidate must have not been born earlier than 02 January 1999 and not later 01 January 2003 for AFCAT I 2022 exam.
NOTE- Upper age limit for candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot License issued by DGCA (India) is relax able up to 26 years on commencement of course.
(ii) Ground Duty (Technical &; Non-Technical) Branch: 20 to 26 years as on commencement of course, which means to apply this one must be of around 19 years 9 months to 25years 9 months. For example the candidate must have not been born earlier than 02 January 1997 and not later 01 January 2003 for AFCAT I 2022 exam.
AFCAT exam is conducted twice in year.
To apply for AFCAT exam candidates must be a graduate with minimum 60% marks.
For education qualification please refer to the latest notification on the official website https://afcat.cdac.in
